State looking to reduce marine debris from 2011 Japan tsunami

The Hawaii State Department of Health is seeking proposals from individuals, community groups, non-profit organizations, and others for projects to remove and reduce marine debris with a focus on potential debris originating from the tsunami that devastated Japan in March 2011.

A total of $100,000 in grant funds is available for selected proposals received by the March 8 deadline. Application details are available at www.hawaii.gov/health/epo.

Funding administered by the DOH for selected projects is made available through a $50,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and another $50,000 of matching funds contributed by the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Awards will be distributed to successful applicants whose proposals commit to reducing marine debris through removal and education activities that support ongoing habitat conservation in Hawaii coastal areas.

Projects are to be located within the Kauai, Honolulu, Maui and Hawaii Counties with a focus on areas that typically receive the most marine debris. A map of these areas is available within the Request for Proposal (RFP) documents posted at www.hawaii.gov/health/epo. The RFP is in line with other ongoing efforts among state and federal partners to address Japan tsunami marine debris (JTMD) within Hawaii.

To date, there have been six confirmed incidents and nearly 100 sightings of potential JTMD in Hawaii. It is anticipated that the increased removal of marine debris will help to reduce threats to public health, lessen impacts to critical habitats, and address possible negative effects on Hawaii’s economy.

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